Configure Wireless APs

Use this information with the product documentation provided by the wireless AP manufacturer to configure your wireless APs.

This procedure enumerates items commonly configured on a wireless AP. The item names can vary by brand and model and might be different from those listed in the following list. For configuration-specific details, see your wireless AP documentation.

Wireless AP IP address (static). On each AP, configure a unique static IP address that falls within the exclusion range of the DHCP scope. Using an address that is excluded from assignment by DHCP prevents the DHCP server from assigning the same IP address to a computer or other device.

Subnet mask. Configure this to match the subnet mask settings of the LAN to which you have connected the wireless AP.

DNS name. Some wireless APs can be configured with a DNS name. The DNS service on the network can resolve DNS names to an IP address. On each wireless AP that supports this feature, enter a unique name for DNS resolution.

RADIUS shared secret. Use a unique RADIUS shared secret for each wireless AP. Each shared secret should be a random sequence at least 22 characters long of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation. To ensure randomness, you can use a random character generation, such as the random character generator found in the NPS Configure 802.1X wizard, to create the shared secrets.

Tip

Record the shared secret for each wireless AP and store it in a secure location, such as an office safe. You must know the shared secret for each wireless AP when you configure RADIUS clients in the NPS.